Navigating through Mathematical Connections in Grades 9-12. Navigation Series

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Making connections becomes increasingly important as students proceed through middle school and high school. This book shows ways of embedding connective processes in instruction in grades 9-12. Problems invite mathematical modeling, unify diverse content, call for different representations, and encourage students to look back at their work to find connections. Activities feature such tasks as determining a dosage schedule for a prescription drug, making "transit graphs" to maximize travel through a canal, and deciding when to accept a "double dare" in a simple game. Mathematics is a highly interconnected discipline. Teaching isolated concepts can limit students' understanding and diminish their interest. The NCTM Process Standards recommend highlighting mathematical connections by actively involving students in five processes: problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections and representation. Following an introduction, this book is divided into four chapters: (1) Connecting with Models; (2) Connecting with a Unifying Theme; (3) Connecting with Multiple Representations; and (4)Connecting with Problem-Solving Processes. Blackline masters and solutions are appended. A list of references and information on the contents of the accompanying CD-ROM are also included.